Two-speed rotary drive



May 19, 1931. E. w. GOESER TWO-SPEED ROTARY DRIVE Filed Oct. 11, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l XWM ittorney May 19, 1931. E. w. GOESER 1,805,819

TWQ-SPEED ROTARY DRIVE Filed Oct. 11, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a I jig'z Patented May 19, 1931 umreo STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN W. GOES-EB, OF LOS AHGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO EMSGO DERRICK. &

EQUIPMENT COMPANY, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF GALI- FORHIA TWO-SPEED ROTARY DRIVE Application fled October 11, 1928. Serial in. 311,731.

My invention relates to the well drilling industry, and particularly to equipment for drilling a well according to the well-known rotary method.

I In this method a string of drill-pipe is rotated in the hole, carrying a bit at its lower end which is supplied with circulating water or mud through the drill-pipe. In the standard arrangement for such drilling, the rotary- 1 machine is situated at or near the center of the derrick, a square drilling stem attached to the upper end of the drill-pipe projecting through the table thereof, and being driven thereby. The rotary-machine is driven from u a draw-works which is situated at one side of the derrick, and which not only drives the rotary-machine, but also contains a hoistingdrum, by means of which the drill-pipe may be raised or lowered.

In the standard form of draw-works the mechanism is mounted on three upright beams anchored at their lower ends to the base of the derrick, and connected at their upper ends to a horizontal girt extending between two of the derrick legs. The hoisting-drum is rotatably journaled between the first and second of these three uprights. Journaled on the uprights above the hoisting-drum is a line-shaft which has chain and sprocket connections with the shaft of the hoisting-drum whereby the hoisting-drum may be operated.

The rotary table of the rotary-machine has a sprocket operatively connected to it, this sprocket being driven by a chain which extends around the sprocket situated on the line-shaft. The line-shaft is driven by a. sprocket and chain connection to a suitable prime-mover. Typical arrangements of such drives are shown in the patent to Griflin, No. 1,095,157, patented April 28, 1914, and to Chapman, No. 943,913, patented December 21, 1909. The rotary table of the rotary-machine in these patents is driven at a certain speed by means of the line-shaft which is in turn driven at a certain speedby the primemover.

When drilling through hard material it is advisable to rotate the rotary table of the rotary-machine at a slower rate of speed than when drilling through soft material, for the reason that the bit will not cut as fast and therefore, if rotated faster, the engagement of the bit on the bottom of the hole will resist the motion of the parts of the drilling apparatus and cause undue strains. Furthermore, if the bit is rotated too fast in hard material, excessive friction is created, which soon dulls the cutting edges of the bit. Another time that it is advisable to slowly operate the rotary table is when a core-barrel is being operated in the well, so that the corebarrel will drill straight, and so that the core will not be broken.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of a drilling apparatus in which the rotary-machine may be rotated at difi'erent speeds.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a well drilling apparatus of the nature specified, in which the speed of rotation of the table of the rotary-machine may be quickly changed to suit drilling conditions.

A further object of the invention is in the provision of a rotary draw-works in which the jack-member thereof, which rotates the rotary-machine by a sprocket and chain connection, may be driven at a plurality of speeds.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a rotary draw-works having a counter-shaft which is driven at a uniform speed by the prime-mover. The rotary-machine is operated by the jack-member of the draw-works, which jack-member has a sprocket and chain connection therewith. The jack-member is connected to the countershaft by mechanism of the draw-works, by means of which the jack-member is operated at a plurality bf speeds.

Other objects of my invention reside in the details of construction of the preferred form which is illustrated in this application, and in the ensuing description these other objects, and the advantages accruing therefrom, will be pointed out.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which the invention is illustrated,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing a drilling apparatus embodying the features of the invention.

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F1 2 is an elevational View taken as indicate by the arrow 2 of Fig. 1, which shows the draw-works which .forms a part of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an extremely dia rammatic view in perspective, showing the different driving connections of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1, the numeral 11 represents a derrick which includes a foundation or base 12. The numeral 13 represents a rotary-machine having a rotary table 14, which is rotated by means of a rotary-machine sprocket 15 mounted on one end of a shaft 16. Adapted to extend through the rotary table 14 is a drill-pipe 17 having a hit 18 attached to the lower end thereof, and having a. swivel-head 20 attached to the upper end thereof to which a block and supporting-cable 21 are attached. The rotary table is operated by means of a rotary-machine chain 22 which extends substantially horizontally across the floor 23 of the derrick, and is operatively connected to a draw-works 24, as will now he described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, the draw-works includes a plurality of uprights 30, 31, and 32, the lower ends of which are secured by suitable attachment-plates 34 to the base 12, and the upper ends of which are secured by snitabie attachment-means 35 to a cross-girt 36 of the derrick. Secured to the insides of the uprights 31 and 32 are bearings 38 which rotatably support a drumshaft 39. Mounted on the drum-shaft 39 is a hoisting-drum 46 on which the cable 21 is wound. This cable 21 extends upward to the top of the derrick, not shown, and is wound on the crown-block, and is then extended downward to the traveling-block connected to the swivel-head 20.

Secured to the outer side surfaces of the posts 36 to 32 inclusive, are bearings 43 which rotatably support a line-shaft 44. The line shaft 44 is arranged above the drum-shaft 39 and is parallel thereto, and the drum-shaft and line-shaft are both parallel to the shaft 16 of the rotary machine 13. Mounted on the line-shaft 44 are sprockets 46, and mounted on the drum-shaft 39 are ioosc sprockets 47. Clutch mechanisms 48 are provided for drivahiy con ncctin g the sprockets 47 to the drumshaft. Chains 49 are extended around the sprockets 46 and 47 so that when either of the clutches 48 engages its sprocket 47, the drumshaft 39 will be operated with'thc line-shaft 44.

The three uprights 30 to 32 inclusive have diagonal beams 50 connected thereto at 51. The lower ends of the diagonal beams 50 are spaced away from the lower ends of the uprights 30 to 32 inclusive, and are secured by suitable means 52 to a plank or other supporting means 53. Secured to the diagonal beams 50 are bearings 55 which rotatably support a counter-shaft 56. The counter-shaft 56 is mounted lower than the line-shaft 44, and in substantially the same horizontal plane as the drum-shaft 39. 'As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the counter-shaft 56 is provided with a sprocket 57, around which a chain 58 is extended, this chain 58 being driven by a prime-mover, not shown. The counter-shaft 56 is at all times driven at one speed.

Rotatahly mounted on the counter-shaft 56 near the central part thereof, is a low-speed drive-sprocket 60 and a high-speed drivesprocket 61. Either of these drive-sprockets 60 or 61 may be drivably connected to the counter-shaft 56 by means of a clutch-element 62, which is slidable, but not rotatable, on the counter-shaft 56, and which may be moved by clutch-operating mechanism generally indicated by the numeral 63. Mounted on the line-shaft 44 is a low-speed drivensprocket 65 and a high-speed driven-sprocket 66, these driven-sprockets being aligned with the drive-sprockets 60 and 61. Connecting the sprockets 60 and 65 is a chain 67, and connecting the sprockets 61 and 66 is a chain 68. The parts 60, 65, and 67 constitute the lowspeed drive-means of the invention, and the parts 61, 66, and 68 constitute the high-speed drive-means of the invention.

It will be seen that the counter-shaft 56 is driven at one speed, and that by means of the high-speed and low-speed connections the line-shaft is driven at two speedseither at a low speed or at a high speed.

Rotatably mounted on the line-shaft 44 between the uprights 30 and 31 is a sprocket 70. The sprocket 70 may be drivahly connected to the line-shaft 44 by means of a clutch-element 71 which is movable on the line-shaft 44 by means of a lever 72 which is connected to the usual type of operating mechanism.

Mounted on the inside of the uprights 30 and 31 are blocks 74 which support a jackshaft 75. Rotatahly supported on the ]ackshaft 75 between the uprights 30 and 31 is a jack-member 7 7. The jack-member 77 has a driven-sprocket 78, and extended around the sprocket 70 and the driven-sprocket 7 8 is a chain 79. The parts 70, 78 and 79 constitute the jackanember operating-means of the invention. It will be seen that when the clutchelcment 71 causes the sprockets 70 to be locked to the line-shaft 44, the jack-member 77 will be rotated with the line-shaft 44. In view of the fact that the line-shaft 44 may be driven at two speeds, the jack-member 77 may also be driven at two speeds, namely, a high speed and a low speed. The rotary-machine chain 22 is extended around a drive-sprocket 80 of the jack-member 77 so that the rotarymachine is operated by this jack-member. In view of the fact that the jack-member has a, high speed, and a low speed, the rotarymachine will also have a high speed and a low speed.

When the bit 18 is drilling through a soft formation, the clutch-element 62 is caused to engage the sprocket 61, with the result that the line-shaft 44 and the jack-member 77 are rotated at a high speed. This causes the rotary table 14 of the rotary-machine 13 to be driven, and to drive the drill-pipe and bit, at a high speed. When thebit 18 is rotated in a hard formation the clutch-element 62 is caused to engage the sprocket 60 with the result that the bit and the intercommunicating parts to the counter-shaft 56 are driven at a slow speed. The slow speed may also be used at any other time that it is thought advisable.

When the rotary table is in operation, the clutch-elements 48 may be disengaged so that the hoisting-drum 40 is not operated. Conversely when the hoisting-drum 40 is in operation the clutch-element 71 may be disengaged so that the jack-member 7 7 and the rotar -machine 13 is not in operation.

claim as my invention: 4

1. In combination a derrick structure having a base and a rotary table; a plurality of draw-works uprights secured to said base at their lower ends and to the derrick at their upper ends; a rotatable drum rotatably supported by certain of said uprights; a lineshaft mounted on certain of said uprights above said drum; drum-drive means connected to said line-shaft and said drum; a jackmember rotatably supported by a certain of said uprights near said base and operatively connected to said table; jack-member operating-means for operatively connecting said line-shaft and said jack-member; a countershaft rotatably supported outside said derrick in a lower plane than said line-shaft and adapted to be driven by a prime mover; highspeed drive-means connected to said lineshaft and said counter-shaft; an low-speed drive-means connected to said line-shaft and said counter-shaft.

2. In combination: a derrick structure having a base and a rotary table; a plurality of draw works uprights secured to said base at their lower ends and to the derrick at their upper ends; a rotatable drum rotatably supported by certain of said uprights; a lineshaft mounted on certain of said uprights above said drum; drum-like means connected to said line-shaft and said drum; a jackmember rotatably supported by certain of said uprights near said base and operatively connected to said table; jack-member operating-means for operatively connecting said line-shaft and said jack-member said jackmember operating-means being operable so that said line-shaft may operate independent of said jack-member; a counter-shaft rotatably supported outside said derrick in a lower plane than said line-shaft and adapted to be driven by a prime mover high-speed drivemeans connected to said line-shaft and said counter-shaft; and low-speed drive-means connected to said line-shaft and said countershaft.

3. In combination a derrick structure havinga base and a rotary table; a plurality of draw-works uprights secured to said base at their lower ends and to the derrick at their upper ends; a rotatable drum rotatably supported by certain of said uprights; a line-shaft mounted on certain of said uprights above said drum; drum-drive means connected to said line-shaft and said drum; a jack-member rotatably supported by certain of said uprights near said base and operatively connected to said table; jack-member operating-means for operatively connecting said lineshaft and said jack-memher; said jack-member operating-means including a clutch on said line-shaft, thus renderin said jack-member operating-means opera le so that said line-shaft may operate independent of said jack-member; a countershaft rotatably supported outside said derrick in a lower plane than said line-shaft and adapted to be driven by a prime mover; high-speed drive-means connected to said line-shaft and said counter-shaft; and low speed drive-means connected to said lineshaft and said counter-shaft.

4. In combination: a supporting structure adapted to be rigidly secured at one side of a derrick floor; a rotatable drum rotatably sup orted by said structure; a line-shaft rotata ly supported by said structure above said drum; a counter-shaft rotatably supported by said structure and adapted to be directly connected to and driven by a prime mover; drum-drive means connecting said line-shaft and said drum; selective transmission means between said counter-shaft and said line-shaft for driving said line-shaft at diflerent speeds; a jack-member rotatably supported by said structure near said derrick floor and adapted to be operatively connected to a rotary table; and jack-member operating-means connecting said line-shaft and said jack-member whereby said jackmember may be driven at different speeds.

5. In combination: a supporting structure adapted to be rigidly secured to one side of a derrick floor; a rotatable drum rotatably supported by said structure; a line-shaft rotatably supported by said structure; a counter-shaft rotatably supported by said structure and adapted to be directly connected to and driven by a prime mover; drumdrive means connecting said line-shaft and said drum; selective transmission means between said counter-shaft and said line-shaft for driving said lineshaft at different speeds; a jack-member rotatably supported by said structure and adapted to be operatively connected to a rotary table; and jack-member operating-means connecting said line-shaft and said jack-member whereby said jackmember may be driven at difierent speeds, said jack-member operating-means including a clutch operable at will to cause said Auck- 5 member to bedriven by said line-she, or to permit said line-shaft to operate independently of said jack-member.

In testimon whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Angeles, California, this 10 4th day of October, 1928.

EDWIN W. GOESER.

and said jack-member whereby said jackmemher may be driven at different speeds, said ack-member operating-means including a clutch operable at will to cause said ackmember to bedriven by said line-she or to pemmt said line-shaft to operate independent-1y of said jack-member.

Inhtesllmtlnflvhfiofi I haove hereunto set my an a s e es alifor 4th day of October, 1958. this EDWIN W. GOESER.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

mm No. 1,805,819. Granted May 19. 1931, to

EDWIN W. GOESER.

it is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 34, claim 1, strike out the article "a"; line 53, claim 2, for the compound word "drumlike" read drum-drive; line 85, claim 3, for "on" read of; and line 116, claim 5, for "to second occurrence read at; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of July, A. D. 1931.

M. J. Moore,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.

t me": No. 1,805,819. Granted May 19. 1931, to

EDWIN w. GOESER.

it is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 34, claim I, strike out the article "a"; line 53, claim 2, for the compound word "drumlike" read drum-drive; line 85, claim 3, ior "on" read of; and line [16, claim 5, for "to" second occurrence read at; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of July, A. D. 1931.

i M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

